Caverns

[Anton Largiader]

Took the family to Luray Caverns today. I hadn't been there in a LONG time and it was pretty spectacular. I brought the R7 and the 18-55, which worked out well, but I was immediately wondering what I could have done differently as far as preparations go. Flash was allowed and I hadn't brought a flash. I shot around f/8 at 1/30 second and generally was about 25k ISO. The caverns are lit, but not as brightly as I'd assumed, and the LED lighting is definitely on the warm side to give things a golden glow. Had I used flash, I probably would have wanted to gel it so it didn't clash with the existing light.

Also I think I could have gone slower on the shutter. I NEVER shoot that slow so I was pretty apprehensive about that, but I think the IBIS was doing a great job. I could have had a monopod and gone even slower, I think.

Have any of you folks any experience shooting this stuff?

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

They look amazing, Anton.

 

[Anton Largiader]

Thanks! If I apply Tungsten WB they lose the heavy yellow cast but they are pretty yellow in real life. Maybe not quite as yellow, though: you can scroll down this page for some photos of the caverns on their website:

Explore - Luray Caverns

4 Million Centuries in the Making…

luraycaverns.com

Knowing they look like this in advance and the light levels (1/30, f/8, ISO-25k), how might you approach this? With flash? Longer exposure? Leaving the camera in the car?

 

[MakisM1]

A boat ride through the Diros Caverns, Mani, Greece